Beyond appropriation: Significant overlays in Guaraní-inspired designs

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate and theorise practices of appropriation from indigenous cultures among interior and accessories designers in Misiones province, northeast Argentina. In particular, the article intends to critically extend the notion of appropriation by introducing ‘overlay’ as a new concept to analytically grasp the uneven cultural traffic from the indigenous artisans to the designers and the majority society at large. It is argued that in this process the ‘meaning’ of the original Guaraní designs is suspended and ultimately short-circuited, as it is no longer available either to the Guaraní, who do not consume the final products, or to the customers, who are not provided with any information on the meaning of the patterns. However, the article does not insist on a presumed ‘loss of meaning’ for these objects. Rather, the article foregrounds notions of materiality, creativity and innovation in relation to the specific economic and working relations between Mbya Guaraní artisans and designers.